FUTURE MATES? If the Lakers don't sign Kobe Bryant (left) to an extension, he could become another free agent player the Knicks would be interested in pursuing to play alongside LeBron James (right), Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh, says Post columnist Peter Vecsey.Reuters

Until Kobe Bryant officially signs a Lakers’ extension — in the works almost as long as the construction of the Second Avenue subway — I’m guessing he’d be another rising free agent the Knicks may be interested pursuing this summer to team up with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh.

Entitled to opt out of next season’s $24,806,250 salary, Kobe has repeatedly professed he’s not going anywhere, scoffing at the often-broached notion he’d consider abandoning the Lakers’ liner.

Still, potentially as long as his sacred services remain in play, who knows what mischief lurks in the heart of this man.

The fact such critical business is taking so long to finalize amps speculation Kobe has a perfectly good motive for stalling.

More likely, common sense dictates, Kobe is declining to commit until Phil Jackson’s coaching status next season is resolved.

Are we experiencing a related ricochet romance moment? Flashback to Jackson’s last two seasons with the Bulls when (Jerry) Crumbs Krause had Tim Floyd waiting in the wings. Jordan made it clear: “If Phil doesn’t coach, I don’t play.”

Eventually, after six crowns in eight seasons, prevalent disrespect by managing partner Jerry Reinsdorf and Krause, whose proclamation, “Organizations win championships, not players,” continues to incite Jordan (Hall of Fame speech), induced His Airness and the Zen Hen to vacate Chicago . . . leaving another title crusade or two on the chart.

Considering Kobe’s delay to re-up, as well as the likelihood that owner Jerry Buss will shrink Jackson’s annual $11 million salary in half, if he even makes him an offer (I’m told this picture is a distinct possibility, with Byron Scott waiting in the wings this time), it’s certainly not unreasonable to wonder if Kobe has adopted an identical stance: “If Phil doesn’t coach, I don’t play.”

⇒The Oklahoma City Thunder invaded the Garden last night, leaving with a 121-118 overtime win over the Knicks. What a glaring examples of bipolar opposites!

The Thunder — never again to be referred to as the Blunder, the Dunder the Asunder — have become the anti-Knicks . . . and we’re not just talking records, though it’s impossible to ignore 32-21, winners of eight straight, vs. 19-35, losers of nine of their last 10. Unlike our local yokels, the Thunder has built a formidable fortress the good, old-fashioned way . . . the draft.

Sure, they’ve enjoyed the luxury of drafting high — never highest, though. What sets the Thunder apart is their solid positioning was accompanied by astute talent scouting and shrewd moves . . . exclusive of deserting Seattle.

While everyone knows the Legend of Kevin Durant (No. 2 overall — behind Greg [Art Photos] Oden in 2007), the rest of this no-longer-motley crew was also methodically assembled by general manager Sam Presti via the draft.

Russell Westbrook (31 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds last night), who was taken No. 4 in 2008, three slots ahead of Jeff Green, the pick acquired in the Ray Allen deal.

James Harden was this past draft’s No. 3 selection, whereas the likes of still nationally unrecognized African center Serge Ibaka, was a late-first (No. 24 in ’08), compliments of the Suns, who donated two first round picks to OKC to take Kurt Thomas‘ contract off Robert Saver’s books, all for a second-rounder.

That giveaway also gives the Thunder the Suns’ first-round pick this June. What’s more, Presto Presti converted Thomas into yet another No. 1 pick,, courtesy of the Spurs.

Meanwhile, Nenad Krstic was a Nets cast-off (feel free to insert your own punch line here), while Thabo Sefolosha, who has started all 52 games, came from the Bulls for an 2009 first-rounder (Taj Gibson).

See, boys and girls, given that decision makers can recognize legit merchandise from knockoffs, and cap room is reserved to add discounted assets contributed by teams looking to escape the luxury tax (rookie Eric Maynor the latest prize, provided by Utah) renovating the roster can be done without soliciting mercenary saviors.

This just in: Presti narrowly edged out the AIG Board of Directors for Executive of the Year.

⇒You gotta love the Wizards for doing their best to help their former rivals win a title. Hey, if you can’t beat em, might as well lay down Antawn Jamison‘s red carpet ride to Cleveland.

Everybody thought Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace was a fool for the Pau Gasol trade. Nonsense! He was a trend setter.

When Zydrunas Ilgauskas gets waived by the Wizards and re-signed by the Cavs, it’s time to end this insulting, unprofessional salary cap loophole, advocates column contributor George Caballero, Doc Rivers, Jackson and many others. “In the new CBA, the rule should state: The team that trades a player must wait until after the next postseason eligibility deadline to re- sign him if-and- when the acquiring team waives him.”

While it’s understandable the Rockets couldn’t turn down two exceedingly promising first round slots and would want an official scorer (Kevin Martin), you’d think they’d realize their greatest attribute was team chemistry. That, I submit, was sacrificed by turning over Carl Landry to the Kings.

What exactly can Martin do, including an inability to stay healthy, that Tracy McGrady can’t? If his body can take the pounding, I look for McGrady to bust out during his two-month Knicks audition. If Grant Hill, 37, can average 12 points and five rebounds during his two-plus seasons in Phoenix after being crippled for years, why would we think a 30-year-old can’t regain top form?

Given minutes and a green light, compulsive scorers have no trouble reacquainting themselves with the rim. I swear, the meat of the above matter was written before McGrady notched 26 points and five assists in a 121-118 overtime loss to the Thunder, one of the Knicks’ most spirited, easy-on-the-eyes efforts in memory.

Column contributor Doug Branch reports Dee Brown offered to show Nate Robinson around tony Wellesley after dark when he arrived in Boston.